Julian Dufreche

STRAWBERRY DAY IN THE PARK

March 23, 2024

PONCHATOULA MEMORIAL PARK

The Julian Dufreche Strawberry Day in the Park is the perfect event to kick off spring! With a wing cook-off, car show, strawberry auction, bake-off, and more, there’s plenty of fun for everyone!

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival logo mark
Strawberry Day in the Park Strawberry Auction Grand Champions
2016 Strawberry Day in the Park Strawberry Auction Winners
2017 Strawberry Day in the Park Strawberry Auction Winners

JULIAN DUFRECHE

Remembering

Strawberry Day in the Park is named in honor of the late Julian Dufreche to recognize his life of dedication and service to our parish and local community. He served as Ponchatoula City Councilman, Mayor of Ponchatoula, and Tangipahoa Parish Clerk of Court, was crowned King of the Strawberry Festival in 2004, and was inducted into our Row of Fame in 2014.

He always did whatever he could to ensure the Strawberry Festival was a success, and we are filled with gratitude as we carry on his tradition of celebrating our community at Strawberry Day in the Park!

Family members of the late Julian Dufreche of Ponchatoula, LA at Strawberry Day in the Park

Family of Julian Dufreche

tHANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!

Amatuers, professionals, and everyone in between - come out and show off your skills in the Strawberry Day in the Park Wing Cook-Off! Earn your prize for presentation, sauce, and delicious wings, or win over the community in the People’s Choice category.

We’ll begin selling People’s Choice testing plates at 10:30am. Tickets are $1 for 1 vote, and you can get as many votes/tickets as you’d like!

After the winners are announced, we’ll continue to sell the wings while supplies last. $10 gets you all you can eat, so come hungry!

WING COOK-OFF

All proceeds from the Wing Cook-Off are donated to the Tangipahoa Crime Stoppers.

3rd Place winners at the Julian Dufreche Strawberry Day in the Park Wing Cook-Off

TO ENTER

Download, fill out, and mail in our Wing Cook-Off Entry Form. Applications are due by March 15th.

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
ATTN: Wing Cook-Off
P.O. Box 446 Ponchatoula, LA 70454

Antique car at the Julian Dufreche Strawberry Day in the Park Car Show in Ponchatoula, LA

CAR SHOW

ANTIQUE CARS • MUSCLE CARS • JEEPS • TRUCKS

Stop by from 10am-2pm to see the Car Show at Strawberry Day in the Park!

TO ENTER

If you’d like to enter your vehicle, download and fill out our Car Show Entry Form and mail in your completed application and entry fee ($25), or register for entry at the event!

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
ATTN: Car Show
P.O. Box 446 Ponchatoula, LA 70454

BAKE-OFF

CAKES • PIES • COOKIES • JELLY • STRAWBERRY BEVERAGES • AND MORE!

Bring your tastiest desserts for our Strawberry Day in the Park Bake-Off! Located inside the building at Memorial Park from 9am-12:30pm. Entries must be homemade, and your recipe must be turned in with your entry. We can’t wait to see all of your berry sweet creations!

Winning strawberry cake at the Julian Dufreche Strawberry Day in the Park Bake-Off

TO ENTER

Download and fill out our Bake-Off Entry Form, then bring your completed application, entry fee ($5), and recipe along with your submission between 9am-10am on the day of the event.

STRAWBERRY AUCTION

Support our local Strawberry Farmers by bidding on their beautiful Louisiana strawberries! The highest bidder wins, and all proceeds go straight to the winning Strawberry Farmer.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2024 GRAND CHAMPION!

TREY HARRIS

2022 Grand Champion strawberries at the Julian Dufreche Strawberry Day in the Park in Ponchatoula, LA

GRAND CHAMPIONS

Previous

  • 1974: Hollis Poche
    1975: Hollis Poche
    1976: Felix Arceneaux, Sr.
    1977: Felix Arceneaux, Sr.
    1979: Wilbert Howes

  • 1980: Leonard Threeton
    1981: Felix Arceneaux, Sr.
    1982: Felix Arceneaux, Sr.
    1984: Lucy Mike King
    1987: Larry Arceneaux

  • 1990: Lucy Mike
    1991: Bill Meyers
    1992: J.C. Blahut
    1993: J.C. Blahut

  • 2002: Blahut Farm
    2003: Blahut Farm
    2004: Tammy Threeton
    2007: Landry-Poche Farm
    2009: Frank Fekete

  • 2010: Frank Fekete
    2011: Rose & Gary Arceneaux
    2012: Blahut Farm
    2013: Blahut Farm
    2014: Blahut Farm
    2015: Blahut Farm
    2016: Landry-Poche Farm
    2017: Frank Fekete
    2018: Landry-Poche Farm
    2019: Trey Harris

  • 2020-2021: Johndales Farm
    2022: Dale Robertson 2023: Trey Harris 2024: Trey Harris